Birth control

The legality of birth control

In the 19th century the law was used as an assertion of existing morality. In the United States Anthony Comstock lobbied to pass an Act for the Suppression of Trade in, and the Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles of Immoral Use. When asked why he classified contraception with pornography, Comstock answered, “If you open the door to anything, the filth will pour in.” Anti-contraceptive and anti-sterilization clauses were added to the Napoleonic Code applying to France and French colonies. In Britain, however, the law never specifically condemned contraception or sterilization, and Bradlaugh and Besant ... (100 of 10,159 words)